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Assistive Technology

Gwen Kenny

+Overview Special Needs is a term that encompasses a wide

range of diagnoses that may affect learning. Students with special needs may exhibit signs anywhere from mild disabilities, developmental delays, or profound cognitive impairments (Mauro, 2014).

Common indicators of learning disabled students1:

• Has poor auditory memory—both short term and long term.

• Has a low tolerance level and a high frustration level.

• Has a weak or poor self-esteem.

• Is easily distractible.

• Finds it difficult, if not impossible, to stay on task for extended periods of time.

• Is spontaneous in expression; often cannot control emotions.

• Is easily confused.

• Is verbally demanding.

• Has some difficulty in working with others in small or large group settings.

• Has inflexibility of thought; is difficult to persuade otherwise.

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Tips for teaching students with disabilities:

• Provide oral instruction for students with reading disabilities1. • Provide students with frequent progress checks. • Give immediate feedback to learning disabled students. • Make activities concise and short, whenever possible. • Learning disabled youngsters have difficulty learning abstract

terms and concepts. Whenever possible, provide them with concrete objects and events—items they can touch, hear, smell, etc.

• Provide lots of specific praise. • When necessary, plan to repeat instructions or offer

information in both written and verbal formats. • Post a clear and predictive schedule2

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IEPs: Individualized Education Program

• the individualized education program (IEP) —helps kids succeed in school. The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them3.

Who Needs an IEP:

• A child who has difficulty learning and functioning and has been identified as a special needs student is the perfect candidate for an IEP.

• Kids struggling in school may qualify for support services, allowing them to be taught in a special way,

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IEPs: Individualized Education Program

• the individualized education program (IEP) process is complex but involves the following steps3

Developing an IEP:

• The first step is to gather specific data regarding the student's progress or academic problems.

• At this point, strategies specific to the student could be used to help the child become more successful in school. If this doesn't work, the child would be tested for a specific learning disability or other impairment to help determine qualification for special services.

• To determine eligibility, a multidisciplinary team of professionals will evaluate the child based on their observations; the child's performance on standardized tests; and daily work such as tests, quizzes, classwork, and homework.

• Once the team members complete their individual assessments, they develop a comprehensive evaluation report (CER) that compiles their findings, offers an educational classification, and outlines the skills and support the child will need.

• The next step is an IEP meeting at which the team and parents decide what will go into the plan.

+Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology: Assistive Technology can be anything low-tech or high-tech, modified or adapted, which is used to help an individual perform some task of daily living.  The term Assistive Technology encompasses such a broad range including devices (computer/laptop, tablets, iPads, AAC devices), software (text to speech, voice recognition, magnification, screen reading), FREE Built-In Accessibility Features in everyday technologies, Chrome Apps & Extensions, adjustable Furniture/ desks, adaptive keyboards and mice, adapted writing tools, etc4.

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• The audio or hearing loop is a wire that circles a room and is connected to the sound system. The loop transmits the sound electromagnetically. The electromagnetic signal is then picked up by the telecoil in the hearing aid or cochlear implant.

• An infrared system uses invisible light beams to carry sound from the source to a personal receiver. • An FM system works similarly, but sound is conveyed though radio waves to a personal receiver.• Software: AUD-1 is a mobile app designed to intelligently modulate the loudness of the sonic

environment for the hearing-impaired user. ListenWiFi software includes a free, downloadable app for smartphones and tablets that provides the ability to listen to the audio associated with multiple monitors that are available for viewing in a venue that has the ListenWiFi hardware installed.

Assistive Technology for

Hearing:Hearing assistive technology

systems (HATS) are devices that can help you function better in your day-to-day communication

situations. HATS can be used with or without hearing aids or

cochlear implants to make hearing easier5.

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• Voice Recognition Software – Voice recognition software can be used to control computers or other electronic devices7.

• Speech-to-Text software and apps allows individuals who are physically unable to access a computer, or may have a learning disability or print disability to write text.

• Text-To-Speech Software Speech synthesis software that converts written text into human speech

• There is a wide variety of software and apps that assist with reading and writing impairments such as zoom technology (ZoomText software), screen readers (JAWS for windows), and the live scribe pen which can record audio for those who can not take lengthy notes

Assistive Technology for Reading/Writin

g:There is a wide range of AT for reading and writing to address numerous areas, some of these tools help students circumvent

the actual physical task of writing, while others facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, and

organization6.

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• In addition to making use of many of the aforementioned approaches and assistive technology, instructors can use assistive technology specific to the child’s needs8.

• Mathematics – Electronic worksheet software such as MathPad allows students to organize and work through problems and includes a voice synthesizer. Talking Calculators can verify that the correct numbers were pressed and verify answers.

• General Areas: Word predication software can assist in many areas and predicts” the word the user intends to type, expanding his vocabulary and improving written expression. (examples: Aurora Suite, Co-writer software)

Assistive Technology for

Learning Disabilities:

Learning disabilities (LD) are neurological disorders that can

make it difficult to acquire certain academic and social

skills7. Learning disabilities can encompass numerous forms and

display auditory, visual, and hearing disabilities.

Resources:

Examples of Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

Hearing Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing /treatment/assist_tech.htm

Hearing Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.hearingloss.org/content /hearing-assistive-technology

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#

Mauro, T. (n.d.). What are "Special Needs" Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htm

Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (2009, January 1). Assistive Technology Tools: Writing. Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-tools-writing

Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (2009, January 1). The Best Software and Gadgets for ADHD Students. Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6585-4.html

Teaching Children With Developmental Disabilities: Classroom Ideas. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://www.interventioncentral.org/behavioral-interventions/special-needs/teaching-children -developmental-disabilities-classroom-ideas

Teaching Students with Special Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from https://www.teachervision.com /special-education/new-teacher/48460.html

Types of LD. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities